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Stratton putting on coming-of-age 'Avenue Q'

Bonnie J. Toomey

Updated:
01/31/2013 10:24:40 AM EST

FITCHBURG -- The Stratton Players will present "Avenue Q" by Robert Lopez and Jeff Mark, opening Feb. 15 at the Dukakis Performing Arts Center at Monty Tech. The production is a fundraiser to benefit the Stratton Playhouse Rebuilding Fund to replace the historical theater lost to a fire more than a year ago.

I spoke with Director Jennifer Leung on Monday by phone from her home in Fitchburg.

Leung admits she was a little terrified when the Stratton Players asked her to direct the Broadway-style production, which is something out of the ordinary for Stratton.

"This is the largest production Stratton has ever done," said Leung.

Leung expressed her appreciation, explaining that Monty Tech has donated the space, the fly system, and technical expertise to help the little theater get into its own venue, an old carriage house known as Lucy's Barn off of Main Street in Fitchburg, which is in the very preliminary steps of renovation.

The Stratton bills "Avenue Q" as a "laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q," a fictional street in a make-believe outer borough of New York City.

There, he meets Kate, the girl next door; Rod, the Republican; Trekkie, addicted to the Internet; Lucy, a bit too promiscuous; and some colorful others all coming of age even in their 20s and 30s.

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For Leung, the major challenge is rehearsing in the smaller space of the temporary First Parish Unitarian in Fitchburg.

"But I trust the very-well-cast cast and ask lots of questions," said Leung, who explained that the show, which includes working on stage with a puppet taking the space of two actors, also requires those actors to sing and dance.

"For someone who is unfamiliar with the show: This is Sesame Street after you got your bachelor's degree and you go out into the big bad world, a first apartment, a first real job, maybe mom and dad are sending fifty bucks once in a while," said Leung, who adds that the honesty is in the characters and that's what she loves.

"It would be easy to say it is simple or a gimmick, but it is more like a modern-day fable everyone can relate to," she said. "It's about learning to grow up."

Leung says Julio Robles, a puppeteer from Fitchburg who studied the art and who builds puppets, "has been a fantastic teacher for the cast and is in the cast as well, playing the character Rickie."

To find your purpose in life and accept who you are deep down, to find love, these are some of the struggles audiences will get to see play out in a lively and comedic way, said Leung.

"They all live on Avenue Q, a gritty, low-rent place," she said.

The message Leung wants audiences to take home is to see "the resilience of growing up and figuring out your true self and finding your bliss."

Leung says the core questions the characters have to work through are "What is my purpose?" and "How am I going to make a meaningful contribution to the world?"

She said that writer Jeff Whitty wants us to see in the end that "we see everything is temporary, and if you're stuck in a bad place, you will get through it."

She recites one of the lines from the show, "except for death and taxes, everything in life is for now."

The audience can expect upbeat, funny and high-energy wordplay and some laughs, says Leung, who is hopeful the house will fill so the Stratton Players can get into their new venue sooner rather than later.

"That would move us closer to putting us in our own house," she said of a show, which promises to be Broadway-esque, but a bit edgier.

Leung explained that "Avenue Q" attracted a lot of talent from all over the state.

"It was difficult to make the cuts, but they are truly the best," she said.

"Avenue Q" boasts surprise special effects, a large set depicting apartment buildings with working elements, and musicians on keyboard/piano, bass and drums will accompany the characters as they croon through every crisis and celebrate each triumph.

The Band: Roots rock, repertoire includes "The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Up On Cripple Creek" and many deep cuts from all their classic albums; Friday, 8 p.m., call 978-425-4311 or go to www.tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com; Bull Run Restaurant, Shirley.

Also at the Bull Run:

* The Fools: The single "She Looks All Right in the Dark," known for their outrageous live performance, international and national hit, "Psycho Chicken;" Saturday, 8 pm.

* Taj Mahal Trio: Grammy Award winning composer, one of the most prominent and influential figures in late 20th century blues and roots music; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

A Conversation with Fitchburg Art Museum Director Nick Capasso: Open house, Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m., free as part of the Museum's First Thursday. Meet the new director of the Fitchburg Art Museum and make suggestions about what you think would be exciting to see at the museum. Fitchburg Art Museum, 25 Merriam Parkway. For information call 978-345-4207, ext. 312, or visit www.fitchburgartmuseum.org.

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